Following the backlash over Dave Chappelle’s controversial trans joke in his Netflix special, comedian Ricky Gervais has faced similar criticism. Gervais’ SuperNature stand-up special has only been available on Netflix for a few hours, but it has already sparked debate. Minutes into his presentation, Gervais poked fun at the contentious views of women dubbed Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists (TERF). According to the definition, a woman is a TERF if she is hesitant to include trans women in the feminist movement – a claim that is, of course, appropriately challenged by other more inclusive gender rights advocates.
Gervais also made light of the continuing issue of trans women’s use of female-only public restrooms. Later, the English comic discussed Kevin Hart’s problem with the trans community, which led to his resigning as Oscars host in 2018 due to homophobic statements in the past.
Ricky Gervais’s new Netflix stand-up comedy special, SuperNature, includes gags about trans women.
The 60-year-old Whitley, Reading, United Kingdom native remarked in his special:
“Oh, ladies!” he exclaims. “Not all ladies, I mean the traditional ones. The traditional ladies, the ones with wombs. Those filthy dinosaurs. I adore the new ladies. They’re fantastic, aren’t they?”
He went on to say how much he adored trans people, but the tone of his statements was seen as condescending and ridiculing by others on Twitter. He referred to trans women as “new ones” and “c**ks with beards.” According to Ricky Gervais:
“They’re as good as gold to me.”
Gervais then discussed how some women could have difficulty embracing trans women in female-only restrooms. He stated:
“‘Oh, they want to use our toilets,’ the old-fashioned ones remark. ‘Why shouldn’t they use your toilets?’ ‘For females!’ ‘They’re females, look at their pronouns!’ What if this individual isn’t a lady? ‘Well, his penis, you fucking bigot!’ ‘Her penis, you fucking bigot!’ ‘What if he r*pes me?’ ‘What if she raps you, you f**king TERF who?'”
Meanwhile, Ricky Gervais aired his thoughts on the cancel culture for opposing views on trans women. Gervais said that it is impossible to forecast what may be judged offensive in the future. He implied that any view that differed from that of the “majority crowd” would be annulled and death threats sent.
The British comedian and actor, noted for his candid and provocative views on social problems, stated:
“…doesn’t the worst thing you can say nowadays be, ‘Women don’t have p*nises?’ Nobody saw it coming. There is no ten-year-old tweet that says, ‘Women don’t have p*nises.’ Do you understand why? We didn’t believe we had to!”
Ricky Gervais is under backlash for his portrayal of trans women in the upcoming Netflix series SuperNature.
Following the premiere of his Netflix special, the comedian received a lot of backlash on Twitter. The comedian was characterized as transphobic by legions of trans sympathizers. At the same time, other trans women said that he saw them as a joke rather as persons. Meanwhile, many people praised Gervais for his views. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), which represents many transgender people and supporters, questioned the show in a series of tweets. They stated:
“It’s filled with gory, deadly anti-trans rants disguised as comedy. He also uses anti-gay sentiments and shares false information about HIV.”
Ricky Gervais claimed to support trans rights at the conclusion of his program. He continued:
“Make the most of your life. Make use of your favourite pronouns. Be the gender you believe you are.” However, Ricky Gervais took another shot at the trans ladies, telling them to “drop the c*ck.”
We watched the Ricky Gervais “comedy” special on Netflix so you don’t have to. It’s full of graphic, dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes. He also spouts anti-gay rhetoric & spreads inaccurate information about HIV. 1/4
— GLAAD (@glaad) May 24, 2022
The Independent classes Ricky Gervais: SuperNature as transphobic and gives it a 2 star rating.
Which means it’s definitely worth a watch.
— Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) May 24, 2022
